REVEREND H. DEAN WESTON "Smiley" had a severe form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT), a genetic, lifelong, progressive neuro-muscular disease, which became obvious early in life. Over the years he acquired the nickname Smiley because of his happy, optimistic, and outgoing approach to life.

Dean originally joined the online CMT Community when he became a member of the CMT Colossus Email list, as "Dean Smiley". His relentless CMT disability soon forced him to start communicating with the CMT list through his wife Darlene. Darlene and Dean quickly became members of CMT International and the CMT Association as well as being instrumental in organizing and running a local CMT Support group. You will recognize the nickname Blzerbabe from most of the CMT email lists, that is Darlene.

Sadly, Reverend H. Dean Weston "Smiley" passed away on February 15, 2004 at the age of 69 years. Dean was born in Arkansas on February 11, 1935, and moved with his parents, Johnie and Zena Weston to Klamath Falls, Oregon at the age of 3 years. As a teenager, he attended Henley High School and worked on the family farm and cattle ranch, before attending Bethany Bible College and graduating from Oregon Institute of Technology (then OTI).

In February 1957, Dean married Darlene of Arizona, and raised four children Larry Weston, Debra Weston Edgington, Regina Porter, and Darrell Weston in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Despite his CMT, Dean was still able to work on the family farm with his father and brother. In 1968, Dean received his ordination with the Assemblies of God and became a pastor in several churches in Washington and Oregon. At the age of 46, in 1981, progressive disability from his CMT forced him to retire, to the Portland area where he pursued a lifelong interest in genealogy.

Recognizing from their own experience, the debilitating effects CMT can have on individuals and families, Dean's family has led the Pacific NW CMT Support group for over seven years. Dean and Darlene were the driving force behind the setup of the CMT2List. Darlene has carried on with her daughter Jeanie running the list as joint owners. Through the family's work in the Pacific NW CMT Support group they have helped others learn and understand more about this progressive disease and enlarged the knowledge of CMT by the general public, considerably. We will definitely miss Dean, and hope that Darlene remains with us in the CMT Community.

Donations may be contributed to CMTA (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association), 2700 Chestnut St, Chester, PA 19013.

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Page Last Updated: Monday May 24, 2004 1:16:09 AM